From My Little Hole in the Wall: Cissy's Rosy Christmas 2022

Its Christmas Eve and Santa is packing his sleigh for his big, annual flight tonight. I've been a good girl this year. Sort of. It's all a matter of perspective, I'm sure. Santa stopped delivering gifts under my tree many years ago, but that doesn't mean they don't arrive in the mail for perhaps like yourself, I'm an enthusiastic doll collector. In fact, Santa just delivered one to my doorstep this morning. The postal carriers are working round the clock today. What was it? Well, I'm a fan of the Let's Play Dolls line that Robin Woods designed for Madame Alexander in the 90s. I never got Vasilissa, and I picked her up for a ridiculous $13.25. Robin's storybook series was gorgeous. And for $13.25 I have a package to open tomorrow morning. Well, two or three at least!

I went nuts on Integrity this month, and won aPoppy Parker Galaxy Girl, and fell in love with their Evelyn Weaverton. Evelyn's fashions are from the 50's so how

could I resist? Thank you to all the Ebay sellers that break up the collections just to sell the clothing! She's wonderfully glamourous and is another haughty looking doll like Violaine Perrin. These ladies smack of wealth and glamour, and they're everything I am not. I just adore their fashions and tiny, perfect accessories.

Earlier in December I posted to my Facebook friends, asking if they thought I should make something new for Cissy this Christmas. All it took was one positive response, and I felt the challenge. Of course, the month got swept away with gifts and Club Grace costuming for Dolly Dingle, but after a two-day breather, and some necessary housekeeping, I decided, why not? I had time, and even if I didn't, the gown would work well for New Year's Eve and beyond.

I started doing my normal search on Pinterest, and this was the first image I saw. I loved the pink, and I adored the bolero. However, Cissy did not have a fur jacket and I really wanted to try one. So, I sat down and began designing one. It took me longer than I hoped, but I took a deep breath and

tried to remember to relax.

Throughout this last week, the crowds and traffic have been crazy. There is nothing you can do about it, if you need to be out in the mess, but relax and enjoy the moment. I'm the lady who strikes up a fun conversation with you in the grocery line. That's me. It makes the line go faster, and everyone feels good by the time they hit the parking lot. And this principle of relaxing into what I'm doing is something I practice when under self-imposed pressure.

The pattern was drafted, and I was ready to begin sewing at 10am on Friday. However, things kept coming up that kept me from even starting it until 3pm. I worked until 8pm then called up a Hallmark movie and relaxed in front of the fire. A fur headband and muff were added late into the night and a belt was made this morning. The rest of this day will be spent doing absolutely nothing! Oh! But enjoying Christmas, of course!

Cissy's gown is a pinky-rose colored high quality dupioni. I would have enjoyed making this up in a lighter pink, but this is what I had on hand in the quantity of yardage I needed.

The fur is that awesome teddy bear fur. It sews up so beautifully, too.

Pretty Cissy steps out for a Christmas Eve party.

A back view of this wonderful little three-quarter sleeve jacket. It's a pattern I know I'll be able to use again and modify as desired.

Cissy's fur headband with a sprig of holly.

And her pretty muff to keep her hands warm from car to front door and back.

By the way, I've found that pipe cleaners are wonderful for forming hats. The hat wire I was using in the past, meant for human chapeaus, was just too strong. Pipe cleaners are fun to work with if you don't need a doll hat that will survive a nuclear explosion.

One more pretty gown down for Cissy! I always try to do something new or different when designing for her and working with fur for this ensemble was that challenge.

I hope you'll enjoy the few vintage Christmas images from the 50s that I selected. And I hope you have a lovely Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Whatever you do, however you spend it, whether you're fighting the flu, or skiing down mountainsides, remember to relax and breath into the moment.

Merry Christmas! Melissa